Either way, Fred Ripley would go to pieces.
He'd lose what little nerve he ever had.

After that he'd be no good at pitching.

He'd go plumb to pieces.

That might leave me the chance to be Gridley's crack pitcher this year.

Oh, I'd like to be the leading pitcher of the High School nine! But I don't want to win the honor in any way that I'm not positive is wholly square and honorable." Then, after a few moments more of thought: "Besides, I'm loyal to good old Gridley High School.